The Identification of Effective Factors of Strategic Implementation in Water Resources Management (Case Study: Lake Urmia Basin)

There is a little room for doubt that Lake Urmia, which is the second largest permanent hyper saline lake in the world, is currently suffering from a lack of appropriate management strategy. Accordingly, this study was done using the SWOT matrix to analyze the key factors affecting declining water levels and increasing salinity. Results of group decisionmaking by brainstorming among a group of experts identified 17 internal factors (four strengths and 13 weaknesses) and nine external factors (five opportunities and four threats). Then four kinds of strategy groups were formulated by matching internal and external factors. And the most feasible policy was introduced from evaluations of Attractiveness Scores and Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM). These reality-based solutions can be applied to facilitate progress towards realizing the target vision. This information was used to select the best alternatives according to strategies based on weaknesses and opportunities (WO Strategies). This study illustrates that the existing water use pattern did not conform to the requirements necessary for sustainability. Furthermore, managerial-based strategies with the objectives of preserving surface and groundwater sources, orienting stakeholders towards implementing efficient water use pattern, adjusting water consumption with existing potential in the field and improving irrigation efficiency and reduction of losses can be applied to eradicate the ecological issues associated with Lake Urmia.